Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions have taken place with broadcasters on improving access to live sports coverage for people without subscription services.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring access to live sporting events so that they can be enjoyed by a wide audience. However, this must also be balanced with the ability of sports National Governing Bodies and rightsholders to generate revenue to invest in their sports at all levels.

All UK broadcasters are operationally and editorially independent of the Government. Decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events are ultimately a commercial decision for them and/or the rights holder of the specific event.